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Jan

Kenya's Luka Lokobe Kanda (2:08:04) and Hellen Jemaiyo Kimutai (2:31:11) won today the 18th "Maratona di Roma Acea", held in Rome, Italy. 12,688 runners crossed the finish line in front of the "Colosseo", a record of finishers for an Italian sport event. Maratona di Roma Acea is an IAAF Road Race Gold Label event.

The men's race was very fast until 30km (1:03:06 at half, 1:29:56 at 30km). Kanda, 24, made a strong move (14:51 from 29km to 34km) and nobody could follow him. He crossed the finish line with the 3rd time ever in Rome. Kenya's Samson Kiprono Barmao (2:08:52) and Ethiopia's Demssew Abebe Tsega (2:10:47) completed the podium.

In the women's race, the first pack crossed halfway with a time of 1:13:36. Kimutai lost ground at 25km and at 35km she was 1:07 behind Ethiopia's Ashete Dido Bekele. With 5 km to go, the leader slowed down and the Kenyan was able to catch her at 41km. Bekele closed in 2nd place (2:31:23), while Russia's Marina Kovalyova was 3rd (2:31:53)

The former racing driver Alex Zanardi, now competing in paracycling race, set a course record for handbike with a time of 1:11:46.

A 4km non competitive race (RomaFun) followed the marathon. 80,000 took part, for a record of about 100,000 runners on the streets of Rome.